Our Fitness Blog

Top 9 Exercises You Are Doing Wrong

How good is your form? This might be something you expect to hear regarding kicking or punching, but not when doing squats or pushups. To get the most out of your workouts, you have to do the exercises right!! Even when you think you are doing them right, there may be some flaws in your form that are keeping you from reaching your potential and may be setting you up for long term injuries. Keep these points in mind whenever you are gearing up for your next workout!

Squats! – Whether you know it or not you do squats every day. From getting off the couch, to getting off of the toilet, you are doing a basic squat.

Keep knees right outside of shoulder level with toes facing forward

Bring your ribs over your pelvis, and engage you abs to hold yourself in this position

Keep neutral head position by keeping your ears over your shoulders and looking straight forward

Keep the knees in line with the big toe

While squatting do not let the knees go past the big toe (90 degree angle is ideal but not a necessity)

Keep the chest high

“Push your knees out” Laterally – Pretend that you have a giant rubber band around your legs that is trying to pull your legs together. Squeeze your glutes and “push out” with your legs as if to push against the force of the imagined rubber band

Keep the heels firmly planted and press through them to stand back up

Lunges!

Keep the knees in line with the big toe

Do not let the knee come past the big toe while descending

Press through the heels

Keep the chest high, shoulders over your hips, and ears over your shoulders

Keep your glutes engaged during the entire exercise

Crunches!

Bring your hands behind your head, and place your head into your hands.

Keep your back pressed into the floor

Contract your abs, don’t pull on your neck!

Keep your neck relaxed and in line with your shoulders.

Relax your legs and pretend that you are trying to balance a ball on your abs.

Pushups!

Keep your shoulders back and down so that they are engaged properly.

Keep your hands under your shoulders

Have your fingers facing forward

Keep your ears in line with your shoulders, shoulders in line with your hips, and hips in line with your toes/knees

Look forward, don’t let you head sink down

Don’t let your elbows flare out! Keep them at around 45 degrees

Plank!

Keep your body in a straight line from shoulder to foot

Don’t let your shoulders sink in, keep them engaged

Try and pull your bellybutton into your spine

Keep your elbows in line with your shoulders

Pretend you are holding a water balloon between your chin and chest to prevent neck strain

Overhead Presses!

Tightenyour abs to control your posture

Engageyour leg muscles as well as your arms and core.

Keep your shoulders back and down, like you are screwing your shoulders into place

Don’t Swing! Keep your body still and in control. If you can’t lift the weights with good form, go lighter.

Keep your back from over-extending, keep a neutral spine. To find your neutral spine, squeeze your abs and glutes as hard as you can. To keep neutral spine during the day, engage your abs and glutes at about 20%.

Drew Brashier has been involved with 9Round in nearly every capacity of the company. He has been a member, trainer, owning partner of a franchise location, and now serves as a corporate officer as the Director of Operational Support.